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Rattling

Messages
80
Reactions
34
Points
17
Location
California
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST
#41
Wondering did ya take the filter out at all as it sounds like you did not but maybe and this is just a thought but maybe the filter is not in correctly and the filter itself is rattling when the recirculation is on?
 

Messages
218
Reactions
108
Points
27
Location
Sumner County TN
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST 400a
#42
Wondering did ya take the filter out at all as it sounds like you did not but maybe and this is just a thought but maybe the filter is not in correctly and the filter itself is rattling when the recirculation is on?
As I mentioned, did all the steps I listed above.
Dealer cant hear it so guess Im superman.
There are quite a few folks that hear this. Tech had a ladies’ 24 ST twice. Then they finally replaced the right strut. There is a ford ssm for the 23s. Same issue.

Watch that video I posted above. Different year but the guy found the prob in the right strut. Same thing.


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Messages
80
Reactions
34
Points
17
Location
California
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST
#43
I saw what you listed but you said you stopped short of taking the filter cover off since you said you could test it from behind "Was going to remove filter cover, but didn't think there was a point being I was able to test it from behind battery." which is a little confusing because are you talking about the recirculation flap or the cover that holds the filter in on the glove box side? To me it sounded like you did not actually take the filter out and if you did not there could also be something stuck under the filter like a screw or something? (just thought of this) or the filter itself is not sitting in there properly, however if ya did take the filter out and check it all then I got no other thoughts.
 

23 Explorer ST

Member
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
316
Reactions
179
Points
37
Location
NC
Vehicle
2023 Ford Explorer ST
#44
Ford has two struts on order for my 2023 making that clunking type noise in the front end.


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Messages
218
Reactions
108
Points
27
Location
Sumner County TN
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST 400a
#45
I saw what you listed but you said you stopped short of taking the filter cover off since you said you could test it from behind "Was going to remove filter cover, but didn't think there was a point being I was able to test it from behind battery." which is a little confusing because are you talking about the recirculation flap or the cover that holds the filter in on the glove box side? To me it sounded like you did not actually take the filter out and if you did not there could also be something stuck under the filter like a screw or something? (just thought of this) or the filter itself is not sitting in there properly, however if ya did take the filter out and check it all then I got no other thoughts.
I know its not a screw loose. Although I rattle my head sometimes and hear them.

But seriously, If I really thought it was, I’d remove it. Raining, I was lucky to get that far. Weather has been a pain.
I move at a very slow speed on flat ground wouldn’t rattle anything like that. Something is twisting, turning or moving up and down.

That video I posted on that older model showed some clues. Other things I’ve been hearing is that the pressure tube inside shock rattles. Again, I don’t buy that. Nor do I care. I just want it fixed. Bad enough I do all my own computer crap. I’m not going crazy on mechanics any further than I have.

I got to get an in-depth conversation with my service writer. By now, his tech should have been able to examine the ‘24 strut they replaced by now. They need to explain to me WHY they cannot hear it with or without their sniffer. The owner of that 24 heard it and brought it back after the dealer said they fixed it. They poked and hoped it was the sway bar and other stuff.
They ended up replacing stuff they didn’t have to and really pist their customer off.

Bottom line, new strut fixed it.


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Messages
34
Reactions
21
Points
2
Location
San Francisco
Vehicle
2023 Ford Explorer ST
#46
I wiggled anything can/could move and locked it down with felt, foam, zip ties. Noise is isolated now and random at low speed even with recirculator on. I also completely "metal hvac duct" taped the exterior air going into the cabin which is a plus for me since I never want the recirculator off anyways due to all the smog in the city, so at least I solved something.

No time to take it to service until I am back from vacation in Jan, but it's clear now that service won't pin it on anything else.

I did also monkey around the suspension in the front passenger wheel. I found the lower sway bar connector a 1/4 turn lose with a 1/2 inch wrench. You shouldn't not be able to torque anything down in that area by hand, so I monkeyed it down even more after the find. I am pointing to it in the photo.

The stuff that moves:
1. The battery cover can make contact with the positive terminal tray in the back and front, added felt here.
2. There's a electrical connector that can wiggle in the center cowl, zip tied that.
3. The positive terminal tray can also shift, stuffed some foam underneath.
4. Positive terminal tray cover, any and all contact points were lined with felt.
5. Cowl cover that contacts the metal were lined with felt on the passenger side.
6. Hood release that is lose, contact points were lined with felt.
7. There's some vacuum line connected to the battery left hand side that is fairly lose and can wiggle wrong and wrap around behind the battery. I pulled it up and zipped tied that as well.
 

Attachments

Last edited:
Messages
218
Reactions
108
Points
27
Location
Sumner County TN
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST 400a
#47
I wiggled anything can/could move and locked it down with felt, foam, zip ties. Noise is isolated now and random at low speed even with recirculator on. I also completely "metal hvac duct" taped the exterior air going into the cabin which is a plus for me since I never want the recirculator off anyways due to all the smog in the city, so at least I solved something.

No time to take it to service until I am back from vacation in Jan, but it's clear now that service won't pin it on anything else.

I did also monkey around the suspension in the front passenger wheel. I found the lower sway bar connector a 1/4 turn lose with a 1/2 inch wrench. You shouldn't not be able to torque anything down in that area by hand, so I monkeyed it down even more after the find. I am pointing to it in the photo.

The stuff that moves:
1. The battery cover can make contact with the positive terminal tray in the back and front, added felt here.
2. There's a electrical connector that can wiggle in the center cowl, zip tied that.
3. The positive terminal tray can also shift, stuffed some foam underneath.
4. Positive terminal tray cover, any and all contact points were lined with felt.
5. Cowl cover that contacts the metal were lined with felt on the passenger side.
6. Hood release that is lose, contact points were lined with felt.
7. There's some vacuum line connected to the battery left hand side that is fairly lose and can wiggle wrong and wrap around behind the battery. I pulled it up and zipped tied that as well.
Thanks for all your effort. Did the tighten down of the sway bar eliminate anything noticeable?

Only thing I was able to get to was eliminate every one of those plastic liner nuts. I found 1 missing, 2 were loose about an 8th of an inch, 2 of the metal nuts were loose.
I was able to get close to where the felt liner is near the flex pipe. It could make a noise but not similar to the rattle/clunking.
The speed where it starts is around 1-2 mph up to over 40mph. The frequency and the sounds do not increase or decrease. They remain constant.
I really believe it’s something in the strut. The wheel acts independent and just the simple up/down movement and twisting, the clunk remains the same.
Only time it disappears is when the road is perfectly straight and flat which is not too often.
Prob is getting dealer to act on it.
Think I’m going to have to get Ford to extend/update the date from the ‘23 ssm…


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powerboatr

Active Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Messages
645
Reactions
398
Points
82
Location
Texas
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#48
Plastic panel clips are notorious wiggle noise monsters
 

Messages
34
Reactions
21
Points
2
Location
San Francisco
Vehicle
2023 Ford Explorer ST
#50
Thanks for all your effort. Did the tighten down of the sway bar eliminate anything noticeable?

Only thing I was able to get to was eliminate every one of those plastic liner nuts. I found 1 missing, 2 were loose about an 8th of an inch, 2 of the metal nuts were loose.
I was able to get close to where the felt liner is near the flex pipe. It could make a noise but not similar to the rattle/clunking.
The speed where it starts is around 1-2 mph up to over 40mph. The frequency and the sounds do not increase or decrease. They remain constant.
I really believe it’s something in the strut. The wheel acts independent and just the simple up/down movement and twisting, the clunk remains the same.
Only time it disappears is when the road is perfectly straight and flat which is not too often.
Prob is getting dealer to act on it.
Think I’m going to have to get Ford to extend/update the date from the ‘23 ssm…


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Interesting, mine is below 25mph disappears on hwy and faster speeds.

Sway bar tightening didn't do much, when I get back from vacation Ill look up the torque numbers in the service manual and tighten accordingly with torque wrench.
 

23 Explorer ST

Member
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
316
Reactions
179
Points
37
Location
NC
Vehicle
2023 Ford Explorer ST
#51
Thanks for all your effort. Did the tighten down of the sway bar eliminate anything noticeable?

Only thing I was able to get to was eliminate every one of those plastic liner nuts. I found 1 missing, 2 were loose about an 8th of an inch, 2 of the metal nuts were loose.
I was able to get close to where the felt liner is near the flex pipe. It could make a noise but not similar to the rattle/clunking.
The speed where it starts is around 1-2 mph up to over 40mph. The frequency and the sounds do not increase or decrease. They remain constant.
I really believe it’s something in the strut. The wheel acts independent and just the simple up/down movement and twisting, the clunk remains the same.
Only time it disappears is when the road is perfectly straight and flat which is not too often.
Prob is getting dealer to act on it.
Think I’m going to have to get Ford to extend/update the date from the ‘23 ssm…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It’s your struts making the clunking noise. Mine is doing the same thing and it was determined to be the struts. There is a TSB out on it.
Dealership is going to schedule to get mine replaced.


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powerboatr

Active Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Messages
645
Reactions
398
Points
82
Location
Texas
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#52
most on my panel clips of my edge st were all plastic. silent.
I have found enough loose or not pushed in, to fill a sandwich bag
Especially in the fender areas and the felt panels on bottom
Of floor
 

Messages
218
Reactions
108
Points
27
Location
Sumner County TN
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST 400a
#53
It’s your struts making the clunking noise. Mine is doing the same thing and it was determined to be the struts. There is a TSB out on it.
Dealership is going to schedule to get mine replaced.


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I say they are but there is no tsb for the 25. The ssm is for the 23s.


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23 Explorer ST

Member
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
316
Reactions
179
Points
37
Location
NC
Vehicle
2023 Ford Explorer ST
#54
I say they are but there is no tsb for the 25. The ssm is for the 23s.


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True there isn’t one in the 25’s that I know of.
My 23 wasn’t in the TSB date but the dealership said it was definitely the struts making the clunking sound so they will replace them.


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